right guys, i haven't seen pitch so hard to say, listened on tms, seems slow and low, this is probably harder to back than it is to bat on, my book england win india win draw now all 3 still a possibility, Eng bat tomorrow and get 300 by mid afternoon lot of pressure on india, personally think Eng rolled over for 250ish game on,india bat well get a lead only 2 outcomes india or draw, india rolled over for 180-200 probably Eng or draw, question is will cracks widen and bounce get uneven if so should be a result or will pitch flatten out, draw be fav then , also mindset Eng will bat and bat whatever happens, no declaration in this game from Eng either inns, india will need to take a chance when batting to force a result,

i'm more confused now then before

guess by this time tomorrow we will know more, personally fearing the draw really if pitch flattens out and cracks don't open up

will have to see both teams bat before i enter this market.

not often you see KP bat like he did.  Doesn't look like a wicket where you can just force it so will be interesting to see how India go.

What a nightmare pitch / match to call!

I've half a mind to green out!

People complaining over the slow run rate I suggest are thinking with their wallet rather than their heads.  This is a 5 day Test match on a dry pitch with cracks and uneven bounce from ball 1.

As for India batting 4th I think they will make better use of the wicket and bat only once. They should be use to slow low turners.  Anyone with half a brain will nudge and nurdle bring the field in then hit through and over. The low bounce suits their batsmen.  If they can bat for 2 days and score over 450 they should win as the pitch I think will start to disintegrate although nothing has gone through the surface.

This is a tough one to call.  England have dropped the ball.

neither can I!  It should be like net practice.  Stay at the crease and defend the straight one.  **** anything overpitched or offline.  push cheeky singles and be patient.  Apart from low bounce the pitch is not difficult to bat on.  Scoring runs quickly is a different matter but there is no hurry. 

I think Fletcher has finally had some influence as Dhoni realises he needs all the help he can get.  I am not convinced the line of attack and field placing were thought out by Dhoni alone.  If Fletcher is able to get across to his men how to bat on a pitch like this then England could be in trouble but at the moment both sides seem bent on playing after you Claude.

I am over exposed on India btw.  Hoping to buy them tomorrow if these two continue to bat with a brain.  Green on England and draw.

I don't think India will get over 350 runs in their first innings, let alone 450!

I hope you boys are right but I am not so sure.  There is no devil in the pitch yet.  England undid themselves.  Trott and KP showed the right apptitude then got themselves out as did Bell.

I am looking to close India out as soon as possible or at least reduce exposure.  there is a long way to go and I also lacked the patience to stay out.  there were some big odds available.

If England do start well I will lay the draw and back india for a three way green as God only knows what happens next!

If Eng start well I would be more nervous about the draw - takes more time out of the game - I think Root and Prior could bat long even with the new ball

collingwood reckons its over in 3 days..i think hes being a tad exhuberant tbh

25 wickets in next 2 days sorry i cant have that

To be fair to Colly this was something he said before play started.

ok fair point,

thing is if india fall apart in 1st inns we will all think different

tbh i think anderson will do thhe most damage in indias first innings

Two long tails - poor wicket - no poor weather about - ind have to go for the win - monty all over them - jimmy one of the best in the world -

My concern is eng third innings - if they wanted to I think our top 4 could block it for 5 sessions vs this lot and they won't be that ambitious going for the win

50pc of my bankroll is on laying the draw - I hope to wake up to ind 2 down at about 630am ! Doubt it though prior can bat long and root looked assured

Gl cp I'm after the same result

Finn may well have caused big problems. Great shame he's missing His extra height and reverse swing.. The low bounce..

250 and we're competitive. Flower et al have to take some heat re Bell's role on this tour. Jonny must be livid.

It's a pitch you can bat for ever on, if you keep your concentration.

Yes gentlemen, agreed. I took an opening posi on England but switched to draw early doors. I've ummed and ahhed about it but on balance I'm going to stay with the draw here.

yeah, agreeing with that Injera. Sorry Lix, it's marginal I agree. We're all trying to figure this one out!!!

Oh sh*t Lix - unlike you to be on the draw!

Wouldn't say it'll be a draw but it should trade at 2s or less

i'm confused

i agree with inj that around 250 to 260 is competitive.

but the spread is 324-332 for england, i'm baffled to explain the prices.

that's plenty on this deck, where there's an excellent chance that 1st innings crease occupation is just as important as runs with the majority agreeing that this is a awful wicket deliberately underwatered to force a result.

there's a slim chance the grass may hold it together, but once there are signs that it won't the draw should really be 100-1.

the deck is fine no real movement no real turn or bounce on the 1st day

We won't know for sure until India bat. My problem in being an England backer is that I need them to stick around to post a competitive total. However, not long enough so it brings the draw in to play. I think India are rightly favourites but a bit short for me.